Good daily driver cam?

**LWM** · 11-01-2005, 04:45 AM

2001 LS1 convertible

I have had this cam sitting around for a while wondering if it would be suitable for daily driving.

218 / 222 @.050
.562 / .566 intake exhaust
115 center line

Are my brakes going to suffer? I live at 3400 feet, Calgary, Alberta

Any input appreciated.

LWM

**nhraformula** · 11-01-2005, 04:58 AM

its a small cam, youll be fine with above for daily driving.

**ninobrn99** · 11-01-2005, 12:06 PM

that cam is cute

depending on the overlap, it could be a big sleeper. You'll have great power down low with that cam.

**hissin'98** · 11-01-2005, 02:03 PM

This is a very mild cam, good for daily use. No your brakes will not be affected. It might have a slight idle but on the wide (115lsa) you wouldn't notice it. It will great performance tho and still retain the gas milage.

**LWM** · 11-01-2005, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by ninobrn99

that cam is cute

depending on the overlap, it could be a big sleeper. You'll have great power down low with that cam.

Cute ... shmute, I asked because ...

LS-1 F-body cams

98-00: 202/210 .496/.496 116 LSA

01-02: 198/197 .478/.478 115 LSA.

LS-6 cam 204/218 .551/.547 117.5LSA

My cam in question

218 / 222 @.050
.562 / .566 intake exhaust
115 center line

to me looks like it is significantly bigger than the LS-6 cam, and, in another life, because I put in a 224 / 236, .536 / .555 Intake Exhaust on a 114 LSA in a 383 with 9:1 compression and AFR heads ... result was a significant loss of vacuum which compromised my low speed braking. Might just have been the big heads ... what ever.

anyway the comment about power down low was what I was looking for ... thx

Originally Posted by hissin'98

This is a very mild cam, good for daily use. No your brakes will not be affected. It might have a slight idle but on the wide (115lsa) you wouldn't notice it. It will great performance tho and still retain the gas milage.

That is the kind of cam I'm looking for, a few extra horses but not willing to put up with a lot of downside.

thx for the replies and I think I'll have it installed.

LWM

**MNR-0** · 11-02-2005, 01:48 AM

I would reduce the intake duration somewhat - something to 212 or 214 and run on tighter lobes. Make power at same point but much more torquey down low with little to sacrifice in terms of peak power. Reason is for the stock power band, you dont need massive inlet durations to make good power at 6000RPM. If you aren't rebuilding your engine to spin past 7000RPM I dont understand the need to go big - unless you're a crazy MOFO that loves cranky idles lives at the redline.

You only need so much duration to maintain peak pumping efficiences. Too much duration and you lose torque under 5000RPM. If its a daily driver, my recommendation is to keep it small. Remember, torque gets you the 60'. If you have a big cam, you need to take off at 6000RPM or invest in a 4000+ stallie. Too many compromises in a DD if you ask me.

**LWM** · 11-02-2005, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by MNR-0

I would reduce the intake duration somewhat - something to 212 or 214 and run on tighter lobes. Make power at same point but much more torquey down low with little to sacrifice in terms of peak power. Reason is for the stock power band, you dont need massive inlet durations to make good power at 6000RPM. If you aren't rebuilding your engine to spin past 7000RPM I dont understand the need to go big - unless you're a crazy MOFO that loves cranky idles lives at the redline.

You only need so much duration to maintain peak pumping efficiences. Too much duration and you lose torque under 5000RPM. If its a daily driver, my recommendation is to keep it small. Remember, torque gets you the 60'. If you have a big cam, you need to take off at 6000RPM or invest in a 4000+ stallie. Too many compromises in a DD if you ask me.

You may be closer to the truth than you think.

I road course that car, yup, road coursing a stock 01 SS convertible. Needs a little more power, and I can't count how many times I've smacked the 6,200 rpm fuel shut off trying to catch up to an SRT4 Neon .... dang those things sure do scoot ...

What would be your opinion on my brake/vacuum concerns?

And FWIW I have a set of Wilwoods on the front and some Strano bars on the way.

Cheers

LWM

**MNR-0** · 11-02-2005, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by LWM

You may be closer to the truth than you think.

I road course that car, yup, road coursing a stock 01 SS convertible. Needs a little more power, and I can't count how many times I've smacked the 6,200 rpm fuel shut off trying to catch up to an SRT4 Neon .... dang those things sure do scoot ...

What would be your opinion on my brake/vacuum concerns?

And FWIW I have a set of Wilwoods on the front and some Strano bars on the way.

Cheers

LWM

With a cam like that - absolutely none. You will lose some vacuum, perhaps 5kPa at idle - but thats about it. You don't brake from idle anyway.

Our stock GTS in OZ came out with a 212-220-119LSA cam - 700Nm of torque at 4000RPM - gotta love that.

**ninobrn99** · 11-02-2005, 07:17 AM

once again, if there isnt much overlap on your cam, which im guessing there isnt looking at the specs, but i could be wrong. You will not loose much vaccum at all. If you did, it should still be very easy to tune your ve and get it on point.

**vettenuts** · 11-04-2005, 03:39 AM

I am running a VHP cam with Crane 1.8 rockers. Cam is 216/224 .583/.583 (with the 1.8's, otherwise .551/.551) with an LSA of 115. Idle is good, vacuum is very good (tuner even commented vacuum was very good) and it makes good power. Peak power is at 5,800 RPM, which I like because I don't want to rev the crap out of the car to make power and I don't drive it on the track.

**Vetteguy2** · 11-10-2005, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by vettenuts

I am running a VHP cam with Crane 1.8 rockers. Cam is 216/224 .583/.583 (with the 1.8's, otherwise .551/.551) with an LSA of 115. Idle is good, vacuum is very good (tuner even commented vacuum was very good) and it makes good power. Peak power is at 5,800 RPM, which I like because I don't want to rev the crap out of the car to make power and I don't drive it on the track.

Hmmm, those numbers are very close to the GM Hot Cam [219/224]. Isn't that something?

samdogmx · 11-19-2005, 08:29 PM

that should ne a good cam for a DD, shouldnt have any effect on your brakes.

**LWM** · 11-19-2005, 09:06 PM

Thx folks

The surgery is scheduled for Nov 22, 2005.

Also have some better valve springs, push rods, guide plates and a set of RRs, stock at 1.7. looking for 25 - 30 HP.

And if the US postal service is with me ... a set of Strano 35 / 22 mm bars.

LWM